Gudjon Thordarson To Be Appointed Manager

Gudjon Thordarson is set to become the new manager of Crewe Alexandra this week.

The former Stoke boss has been a front runner since confirming his interest in the job over a month ago. On November 26th he told the BBC:

'When I moved back to Iceland, I wasn't considering returning to the English game,'

'Crewe is a good club that survives by making footballers. That is a good way to run a club and one reason why the job interests me.'

He has since had several discussion with the Alex board of directors and has pipped former Cheltenham manager John Ward to the post.

Thordarson was manager of Stoke between 1999 and 2002, the Icelandic won half of his 154 games as manager. He took the Potters in to the Championship in 2002 before getting sacked prior to the new season.

He went on to have tough spells at Barnsley and Notts County before moving back to Iceland. His last spell as manager was at his home ÍA Akranes, whom he made over 400 appearances with as a player. He was fired in July after a poor 12 months.

Also in July, Thordarson had talks with SPL club Hearts about becoming their manager but the move never materialised as talks broke down.

Thordarson's appointment is imminent but he is unlikely to begin work till next week as Dario prepares the team for the boxing day clash at home to Oldham before the trip to Hartlepool two days later.

The Icelandic's first game in charge looks set to be the Millwall trip on January 3rd, with 2009 seeing a new era begin at Gresty Road.